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July 2009 
the little dog has died
Posted on Apr 1st, 2008
by 
maze
maze
Our Beta went south this evening. Beta was our 16 plus year old Jack Russell terrier. I would not recommend a Jack Russell to anyone who lacks any sort of energy. Even last summer with this ball toss thing of hers, she still drove me nuts. I would toss the ball, and she would bring it back, but never back close enough. Instead of bringing it closer when I would say, give me the ball, she would just stand there and bark and bark and bark as if to say...get off your ass and toss me the ball. And I would, just to stop her from barking.It was a dumb game that I didn't much care for because often times I wanted to toss the ball far away enough so she would take a long time to fetch it, and wouldn't you know it, the damn ball went over the fence, and then, I really had to get off my ass. Beta was the mom of two litters and we have Beeshoo too, her son from one of the litters who is now creeping up on 14 years. Beta really should have been named Alpha. She was in charge from day one. And as much as she allowed for me to take her for a walk, pick up her shit and feed her, she really was my wife's dog. Her perch was my wife's lap. And I don't care who would approach the lounger when they would both be there, sitting in the living room, if you got too close, you got a growl. Earlier in the evening I knew something wasn't going right as soon as I walked into the door. Our daughter Julie said that she thought something was wrong with Beta, she was making these yelping sounds. I picked her up and massaged her here and there to see if I could find out where the discomfort was coming from. She shit on me...the little asshole terrier. After a while she seemed to settle so I placed her in her basket. It didn't last long because she started to yelp again. I wrapped her up in a towel and cuddled her. I called the vet, but he was already closed. Then suddenly, there was this calm and limpness that came about her and I said to my daughter...you better call mom, I think Beta is leaving us. When my wife got home I told her, I think Beta died. She freaked out and started to sob. She was so mad that she couldn't be there to hold her. Old Beta didn't let her down. Through my wife's sobs, this little terrier jerked her head about and looked around. I handed her off to my wife and after a while, I knew the little dog had died because I got no growl. Forgive me for making a spectacle of my sadness tonight.
Doris Day / Patti Page How Much Is That Doggy In The Window
Access: Public
i'm so sorry, maze. thinking of you and your wife and beta.
I am sorry for you and your family losing Beta,
I know when we lost our dog who was 16yrs it was heartbreaking,
they are part of our family and life. Your wife was able to hold her, that would have meant so much…
She certainly sounded like a little character who was queen of her castle, bless you all for loving her as you have..
Thinking of you all…
This is a note from Vicki: I am so sorry about Beta and my heart goes out to you and your family. I hope you will all find comfort in your memories and the knowledge that you gave Beta a good and loving home. Love and hugs, Vicki.
Thank you Laura and Ange and Vicki.
Beta taught me a lot about love, as you are now doing the same. peace, maze
I am so very sorry for your loss, Tom and to your loving wife … tears. I know Beta, she lives in my dog. Same ball routine … and fiercely loyal and loving. Her energy is so very much with you … you know that don't you?
I too am thinking of you all.
hey, tom, love you know friends are to be with you when you're grieving… warm hugs, deepest sympathy, brother
Maze, I could say I'm sorry for your sadness and I am, yet sadness at leaving is a measure of the love, isn't it? And I'm very glad for your family that you share so many loves so deep. I think Ange said it for me, “bless you all for loving her as you have.” Doggies are such friends to us, and yes Maze, they teach us so much about love. I'm sending you and your family, especially your gentle bride, my warmest wishes and hugs.
So incredibly hard to lose a fur baby…my heart goes out to your whole family.
God bless Beta for waiting for your wife. What a dear! She came back to make sure your wife got to say good bye.
Love to everyone.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your losing your dear furry friend. What a joy all of you had together, inside and out.. What luck to all be brought together for this rich , fun-filled, loving adventure. ((hugs to all the family))
I keep trying to type something and then I delete it and try again because it is so hard to know what to say. I just lost my Zoe' dog not too long ago so the pain is still very fresh so the tears are pouring. What a lovely tribute you have left here for your bratty little Beta dog. Such spirit! I just love it that she waited for your wife. Loyal to the last breath: our furry best friends. Please extend my condolences to your family.
With Much Love
That is so sad and such a loss - appropriately so with a huge spirit like Beta. I share in your sympathy. Beta left so many pleasure moments. What a great time you must have shared. May tomorrow bring some new joy.
You know, yesterday was sad but inevitable. Today after reading all these comments, I am sad in a joyful sort of way. I am glad that there are so many loving and caring people in the world. I cried knowing that I have virtual friends willing to share all that goes on in life. Thank you….I appreciate your friendship. peace, maze
From my friend Valerie: and my sister Sue:
so sorry about Beta's dying. I know how much a part of your clan's lives your pets are (like here) and what a big hole she'll leave in your hearts. I don't know if this story will give you and MaryGrace any consolation but here goes: my 12 yr. old sheltie, is getting very . …vague …for lack of a better word. Zero night vision, lots of anxiety and barking after dark, wants us in his very limited vision at all times. Physically, he's still spry, but has some canine senility it seems. I commented to my cousin Jack, a vet, that I'd like to find Spencer one morning dead on his bed next to ours. That I've had to euthanize enough dogs in my time and it would be nice to have someone fade away. Jack told me, 'well, almost no one gets that lucky.' You did get that lucky. vkl
Tomek,MG and kids,
So sorry about the loss of Beta. Its not an easy thing to do. Glad MG was
there at the end.
Love,
Sue (btw…Tomek is Polish for Tom)
Maze,
Sending a hug to you and yours, and a smile for all that Beta was. Sixteen is a fine age for a little dog, and she went in the comforting presence of physical touch, love, home & family. You will be telling stories about her saucy self for the rest of your life.
warm thoughts to you,
crow
This comment just in from Connie….a woman I worked with…now living in Ohio.
Awwww….I just read your blog….so sorry to hear about Beta. I think I remember when she had the litter that Beeshoo came from. In fact…after one of their vet visits in E. Aurora you brought the box of puppies to my house for a quick visit so my kids could see them. And a couple of them peed on the carpet….the dogs, not the kids. It made you giggle. It was funny then - and it's still funny now. It sounds like Beta got her love and security from MG (I'm glad she hung in there until Mary Grace got home - beautiful picture, btw) while you provided the food and frolic. And I love the fact that she kept her sense of humor to the end….shittin' on you one last time!
Sleep well Beta.
I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss of Beta. She sounds very much like my dog Gracie who we lost his past fall. We tell stories of Gracie in similar fashion to the one's you are telling of Beta. I know it also helps that I have Gracie's footprint on the fridge and it's comforting to see it there.
My condolences to you, your wife, and your family.
Ethan
dear tom, all the love you send out each day is coming back to surround and comfort you in your grief… what goes around comes around… sleep well tonight, knowing how deeply you are loved
I didn't see this till today maze and here I am crying. She looks like such a sweet dog. I would hug you if I could.
Losing a pet is so sad,I'm truly sorry Maze.
Maze, my condolences along with all of the others here…I am just now reading this…may you and your family find comfort and recognize her energy when she comes around to share her love…
Big hugs,
Starseed
how are you feeling today, dear tom?
Maze, I'm sending you my love and my condolences… the loss of a pet is never easy. Beta sounded like a wonderful pet… witty, energetic and loving. I am at a loss for words… typing and erasing… Please just know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Love -n- hugs!
-Susan